Supported internship programmes
What is a supported internship?
A supported internship is a study programme with a work placement for young people with additional needs. They aim to support individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to move into secure employment by matching their capabilities and helping them to gain skills and experience.
The intern will study with a learning provider as a full-time student and will be supported by a job coach. The work placement is a part of their course and they will spend around 70% of their time learning in the workplace.
Their job coach is organised by their learning provider. Their role is to provide support as the young person transitions into the workplace, and to help employers understand how to support their intern.
Who are supported internships for?
Supported internships are eligible for 16-24 year olds with SEND who have an EHC (education, health and care) Plan.
An EHC Plan (or EHCP) is made after an Education, Health and Care needs assessment with a local authority. It describes the young person’s special educational needs and the support they need.
How long are supported internships?
A supported internship should last for a minimum of 6 months, and can last up to 1 year. You may be able to support programmes that last longer, such as up to 2 years, where interns need more intensive support to achieve the internship requirements.
Are supported interns paid?
While we believe that any interns should be paid for their work, there is currently no requirement for a supported intern to be paid by the employer.
Supported internship benefits for employers
By providing placements for supported interns, you will:
- Develop your confidence in employing young people with disabilities
- Increase your workforce diversity
- Create accessible opportunities for those who need more suppor
- Reduce recruitment costs by employing the intern after their placement as they will be familiar with your organisation
How to create a supported internship placement
To create accessible placements for supported internships in your organisation you could:
- Partner with local schools/colleges who offer (or are developing) supported internship programmes, especially schools that are tailored for young people with additional needs
- Introduce job carving into your early careers strategy to create or adapt roles for young people with additional needs
- Ensure line managers are supported to deliver quality onboarding and mentorship
- Look to provide placements where you can support ongoing employment. While experience is valuable in itself, the success of a supported internship is determined by the interns transition into paid employment. The availability of a role following the placement may be a requirement for a learning provider.
- Become a Member with Youth Employment UK to get access to exclusive best practice resources that can support your strategy, from outreach to recruitment to support and development.
Supported internship guidance
To find the latest supported internship guidance for employers, it is recommended that you visit the government website for updated information.
Supported internship funding
Supported internships are funded as a 16-19 study programme so the responsibility for funding falls on local authorities and the Department for Education. The employer’s financial responsibilities will relate to the costs of having a work experience student and providing reasonable adjustments (which you are required by law to provide where possible).
Interns can apply for funding with Access to Work to help with workplace support costs, however this funding cannot be used to cover reasonable adjustments as this is the employers responsibility.
